springhorn



Mmh. 22 192 7 c. SPRINGHORN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 14, 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 1 arch 22 1927 c. SPRINGHORN l622009 MUS ICAL' INSTRUMENTFiled Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 by 746 my 1,622,009 c. SPRINGHORNMUS I CAL I NSTRUMENT March. 22,1927.

Filed Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

11:11:11: JDDIJODDUUDUH 1, 22, March 22 C. SPRINGHORN I 6 MUSICALINSTRUMENT Filed Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Shut 5 iii) Patented Mar. 22,1927.

cam STATES CHARLES SPRINGI-IOR-N, OF NEW] YORK, N. Y.

MUSICAL msranlun'nr.

Application filed September 14, 1922.

This invention relates to musical instruments and particularly to animproved mechanism adaptable to player pianos for playing automati 'allya combination of auxiliary musical instruments in accordance withpredetermined conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means forcontrolling expression devices en'lployed in pianos.

Another object of the present invention is to cause a combination ofmusical instruments responsive to predetermined conditions, to beoperated automatically, either independen'iy or as a unit, in perfecttime with the rhythm of the music as perforated in the ordinary musicroll used in player pianos.

Another object the pro ision or means whereby the introduction of theauxiliary musical instruments may be controlled manually.

A further ob ect of the invention 13 the arrangement of the apparatus inan automatic player piano in a manner such that the introduction of theauxiliary musical instruments may be controlled autoi'natically.

A still further object is to provide a sin e, practical and eiiicientpneumatic action 101' controlling the effectiveness of the auxiliarymusical instruments whereby a simple and compact construction resultswhich is accomplished in a simple and ex peditious manner.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the above and other objects, the present inventioncontemplates the pro ision of a plurality of auxiliary musicalinstruments, such as dru'msboth snare and bass-triangle, birchtambourine, mandolin, stops and other such instruments which arearranged to be operated in perfect time with the rhythm of the music asdetermined by the cuttings in the music roll, i. e. the auxiliarymusical instruments will function to produce music which is in perfecttime with that beinp played on the piano. F or controlling the operationof the musical in- :uments both manually and automatically providedwhicln I ty or" a novel arrangement of valves, the application of air atthe proper moment to the instrument derir d is controlled. In thepreferred form of the inventiom a valve is arranged to be o erated bytwenty of the notes, prefeably from the ei hth to the twenty-eighthoperated devices are through the instrument- Serial No. 538,169.

note, while a similar valve is positioned in a manner such as to beoperated by the treble notes, preferably from the thirty seventh to theforty-ninth note. Experience has proven that such a. combination resultsin superior o1eration giving a reproduction of music which is comparablewith that produced by an orchestra of the highest grade. Each of thevalves controlled by the piano action in turn controls the operation ofprimary and secondary valves which are individual to the respectivemusical instruments and which in turn control the introduction of air toact on mechanically operated devices for effecting the actuation oi themusical instruments so selected.

Referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a player action in cross-section,showing the arrangement of the mechanism for producing the desiredresult of the invention.

Figure 2 shows more in detail the valve mechanism and the manner ofconnections whereby the auxiliary musical instruments are operated inperfect time with the rhythm of the music being played.

Figure 3 illustrates d grammatically the arrange" cut oil the valves.

Figure dis a perspective oi the valve mechanism which is operated by theallotted abstract bars of the piano action.

Figure 5 is a detailed view showing the allotment of the abstracts tothe respective valve mechanisms.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the portion of the mechanism whereby themusical instruments selected will be operated until subsequentlychanged, due to the desire or" the player.

Figure 7 illustrates the manner of connecting two musical instruments,whicl is the form best suited for what may he termed house playerpianos.

Figure. 8 shows a portion of a music roll with the cuttingsrepresei'ltingr the various notes.

, :a ti on strings 7 suitably. attached to the sound board as is commonpractice in pianos. The strings 7 are arranged to be operated by hammers20 suitably pivoted at 22, through the action of pneumatic 9, whichcontrols the operation of a lever 21. The pneumatic 9 is controlled bythe introduction of air to a tube 14 extending from holes in tracker bar13 over which the music roll 10 passes. The music roll 10 is wound onrolls 11 and 12, which are suitably journaled to the frame of the piano.Inasmuch as the player action per se does not form a part of the presentinvention, a detailed description thereof is considered unnecessary hereas only so much of the piano mechanism is shown as is considerednecessary for a clear understanding of the invention.

As is common practice, the piano is arranged to be operated either inaccordance with the perforations in the music roll or manually throughthe operation of piano keys 8. Each of the keys is arranged through theinstrumentality of a. pin 17 Figs. 1 and 5 mounted in the free endthereof to engage an abstract 15. This abstract 15 is supported by alever arrangement 18 which is connected to a block 19.

As shown in Fig. 5, twenty of the abstracts of the left end portion areshown with pins 25 while at least eight of the abstracts on the rightare shown with pins, the former being allotted to the bass notes, whilethe latter are common to the treble notes. Such an arrangement hasproven to result in superior operation giving a reproduction of music onthe auxiliary musical instruments which is in perfect time with therhythm of the music being played on the piano.

Each of the pins 25, which is secured to the abstracts 15, is arrangedto operate a valve mechanism for causing the admittance of air to aseries of tubes at atmospheric pressure. In the case of the pinsallotted to the bass notes, they are arranged in close proximity to theoperating mechanism of the valve mechanism so that the valve will bemaintained open when a series of the player actions in the range chosenare operated. When any one of the abstracts in this particular sectionis operated and immediately followed by another, the valve is notallowed to close. This feature results from the particular location ofthe pins in the abstracts. Upon the operation of an abstract, the pinindividual thereto engages the operating element of the valve andeffects its opening. Now, should another abstract be immediatelyoperated, its pin will have engaged the operating element of the valvebefore it has traveled suificiently far to effect its closure. However,in the case of the valve common to the treble notes the pins in theabstracts are positioned such that should the player actions within therange selected be operated, the valve will be opened and closed for eachplayer action that is operated. Conversely from that of the valvealloted to the bass notes, the pins carried by the abstracts of thetreble notes will have moved downward a distance sufficient to allow thevalve to close before the pin in another abstract engages the operatingelement of the valve. In this way, the valve will be opened and closedupon the operation of each abstract notwithstanding the fact that theyare operated in close succession. The latter feature produces the muchdesired staccato effect when drums are played as is so essential fororchestras. In the case of short notes coming in the previously referredto range, the valve on the treble notes closes for each note. Adifferent condition, however, exists when long notes are being played,that is, the music roll is out with a long note for one player actionwhile it is also cut for a series of short notes in the same range. Inthe latter case, the valve will be held open as one of the playeractions is maintained up resulting in a slurring action one to the otherand causing only one heat. Thisfeature is particulary V illustrated inFig. 8. As shown in the lower part of column A, the occurrence of aseries of notes in close succession will cause the maintenance of theparticular valve Open thus producing only one beat. This conditioncontinues until the space appears between the notes as at J when thevalve will be closed.

As shown in Fig. 4, each of the valve mechanisms comprises a U-shapedplate 91 which has pivotally mounted in the upturned portions thereof, abail 92 upon the straight portion of which is arranged an insulatingmedium 93. The insulating medium 93 is provided for reducing to aminimum the noise which might result due to the ac tion of the pins 25thereon. Rigidly fixed to the plate 91 is a plate 94 having at its freeend thereof an aperture to which a tube connection 98 is connected. Thismember 94 has pivotally secured at 96 a member 95 which is also securedto the bail 92. Secured to the member 95 and in alignment with theaperture in the plate 94 is an in sulating member 97 fo insuring theclosure of the aperture to the tube connection 98 when the ball 92 isin' its lower-most position, or, in other words, when it is not actuatedby a pin 25 due to the lifting of one of the abstracts 15.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided'whereby theintroduction of the auxiliary musical instruments may be controlledeither manually or automatically. In the former case, it is necessary toprovide a series of buttons 4: which are arranged as shown in Figs. 2and 3 along the front of the piano. In the latter case, it becomeseant-9 necessary to use a number of the lower and treble notes at theend ot each end of the tracker bar 1.3, the number depending upon thenumber of auxiliary musical instru ments which are desired to beoperated. When the latter arrangement is employed, it also becomesnecessary to perforate the music roll with one small hole for eachinstrument whereby such perforations will, upon the movement of themusic roll, be in perfect alignment with the holes in the tracker bar.For example, one hole may be allotted to the triangle, another to thetambourine, still another to the bird, and a fourth to the drumcombination, etc. It is, of course, to be noted that it is not use ssaryto make a continuous series oi perforations in order that the musicalinstruments will be operated in perfect time with the rhythm ot themusic being played as means is provided whereby the instrument operatedas determined by the actuation of one of the buttons or the fact thatperforation is brought into alignment with a hole in the tracker bar forcausing the continuous playing or such instrument until subsequentlychanged due to the actuation of another button or the alignment ofanother perforation with a hole in the tracker bar.

As shown in Fig. 3, tube connections e1;- tend from the buttons t andthe assigned holes in the tracker bar 18 to a common connection 50. Fromthe common connection 50, a series of tube connections extend to aplurality of valves 51, 52, 53, 5e, and 55, the number of such valves,of course, being determined by the number or" musical instrument-sdesired to be operated. Each of these valves 51 to 55 inclusive,controls the admission of air from a source to which an air line 28 isconnected for operating a series or pneumatics (35, 66, 67, 68 and 69.Each of the pneumatics to 69 inclusive is arranged with a pin 70 which,as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, is arranged to engage operatingportions of a locking member 71. This looking member 71 is pivotallymounted to a pair of uprights 7:2 and 73 and is arranged upon beingactuated by any one oi the pins 70 to maintain such pin in the positiondetermined by the actuation of the corresponding pneumatic until asubsequent select-ion.

Each of the pneumatics with the exception of pneumatic controls theoperation oil a set of valves 80, 81, 82 and 83, 3, the construction ofwhich will be more clearly described hereinafter. 'lhese valves to 83inclusive, control the actuation or" a of valves to 10? inclusive. Thevalves 100 to 10? inclusive are connected with valres 16, 17 and $8 in amanner for corn trolling the operation of a plurality of valves 1% to136 inclusive. The valves as and as shown in 3, are connected with alve33 which is operated by the pins 25 on the abstracts 15. The YlllYCS 17and 48 the other hand are connected by a tube 38 with valve 25% which isactuated by pins 25 connected to the aostracts on the left hand port onof the player action.

valves 100 to 10? inclusive are arranged with the valves to 136inclusive in a manner such that these valves may be operated incombination. In order to cause the proper functioning or tne valves 101,103, 105 and 107, a check valve such as 108, 109, 110, and 111 isarranged independent to each or these valves and is controlled by thevalves and Extended from the valves 12$, 1331, 133 and 135 are tubeconnect-ions which connectwith bellows such as 1&6, 1 t? and 1-18 forcontrolling the operation of the ansiiiary musical instruments such as30, 31 and 32.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the valves bearing reference characters 51to inclusive, comprise a block 59 which is of wood or other suitablematerial ha ing openings therein which are arrai'iged to be opened andclosed by an operating member 56 or a valve 52. This operating member 56has a portion extending to and in engagement with a pouch 58. Giving toa connection extending from a chamber in this valve to the air line 28,the pouch 58 is normally in the position shown in the drawing and theoperating member 56 is in engagement with the seats 62 and 63. When thebuttons 1 are in their normal unactuated position and no auxiliaryperforations appear in the music roll 10, the pressure on the oppositesides of the pouch 58 is substantialy equalised and accordingly isdistended to the left. The equalization of pressure resits from thelocation of the bleed hole 61 which is only a small hole approximatelythe size of a pin and which connects the chamber on the left hand sideof the pouch 58 to the air suction line 28. Consequently, with bothsides of the pouch 58 connected with the air suction line, the pressureon both des ot the pouch will be substantially equa 1 ed.

The tip of the op erating element is mushroom shaped and ObVlr y due tothe air suction, will tend to we to the left but its movement isatl'ected due to the application of air at atmospheric pressure on itsback side and air er by the suction resulting from the air snt ion lineFlow should either a button 1 be operated or an auxi iary perforationappear in the music roll 10, air at atmospheric pressure will beadmitted to the connection 37. The connection 37 is of aninch largercross section 1 an the bleed hole 51. in which case the pressure on thetwo h ot the pouch 58 is no longer sub- 0 equal and the pouch caused tobe to the r' :ht, carryi with it the operating element 56. Consecpientlythe operating element 56 is caused to disengage seat 63 and engage seat62. Upon the closure of the opening to connection 37, whether at one ofthe buttons 4 or an auxiliary perforation on the roll 10, pressure onthe left hand side of the pouch is reduced and owing to the bleed hole61 the pressure will be equalized shortly and the pouch 58 returned tothe position shown in Fig. 2. The operating element 56 will follow thepouch upon the removal of the pressure applied thereto as previouslydescribed. Nit-h reference to the operation of this valve, it should benoted that the effective area of pouch 58 is considerably greater thanthat of the operating element Inasmuch as this particular type of valveis a well known mechanism commonly employed in connection withpneumatics for pianos further description is believed unnecessary.Leading from a chamber in the valve 52 is a passage 64 which connectswith the pneumatic 66. The pneumatic 66 in turn controls the opening ofvalve 49 which, upon being opened, causes air to be admitted atatmospheric pressure to a chamber of valve 80. This valve 80, like theone previously described comprises an operating member 84 and a pouch 86which is held normally in the position shown in the drawing due to theequalization of pressure exist ing on both sides of the pouch 58 whenthe valve 49 is closed which is produced by the air line 28. Theoperation. of valve 80 is identical to valve 52 which has just beendescribed. Arranged in operative relation with the valve 80 by means ofan air passage 89 are valves 100 and 101. These valves are arranged withoperating members 112. and 113 which have a coil spring connected. witheach other which normally holds the valves against their seats. Each ofthe valves 100 and 101 is connected with a check valve 108 and 155 whichin turn are connected with the secondary valves 46, 48, which arecontrolled by the primary valves and 47. The primary valve 47 isconnected with valve 34 by a tube connection 38, while valve 45 isconnected to valve 33 by a tube connection 39. Each of the valves 47 and48 has operatingmembers which, owing to the application of air to thepouches of each of these valves from the air suction line 28 are held inthe'position shown in the drawing. Extending from the valves 100 and 101are tube connections 115 and 116, the former of these connectionsextends to the primary valves 125, which controls the operation ofsecondary valve 126. This sec ondary valve, as shown in Fig. 3, controlsthe admission of air to a tube connection 143 extending to bellows 147which operates a tapper 152 for causing the operation 01 triangle 32.Tube connection 116 on the other hand extends from valve 100 to valve128,

which controls secondary valve 127. When these valves 128 and 127 areoperated, air is admitted to tube connection 153' extending from valve127 to bellows 146 which controls the operation of the tambourine 31. Itis thus apparent with such a set of con nections that the tambourine andtriangle will be operated together, the triangle being controlled fromthe bass notes or valve 34, while the tambourine is controlled by thetreble notes or valve 33.

T he operation of the mechanism previous ly described is as follows:

When one of the buttons 4, for instance, the second on from the left, asshown in the eft hand corner of Fig. 3, is operated, valve is likewiseactuated for admitting air at atmospheric pressure to tube connection 36which extends from valve to the common connecting block 50, and thencethrough tube connection 37 to chamber of valve Valve 35 comprises amember 23 of thin metal which is rigidly secured at 24 by means ofscrews and carries a piece of insulating material 29 near its free endfor insuring good contact between the aperture to which the tubeconnection 36 is connected.

The admission of air to the chamber 60 which is at atmospheric pressurecauses the operation of operating member 56 which thereupon disengagesthe seat 63 and engages the seat 62. The operation of the valvemechanism 52 in this manner now connects the passage 64 with the suctionline 23 to the pneumatic 66. The pneumatic 66 is thereupon operated forcausing the opening of valve 49 which will be maintained open so long assuch condition exists owing to the engagement of pin 70 with the lockingbar T1. The pin 70 and the pneumatic 66 will be held by locking bar 71until a subsequent selection.

The opening of valve 49 admits air to one side of the pouch 86 of valvethus owing to the bleed connection 87, which is arranged in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with valve'52, the pressure onthe right hand side of the pouch 86 is increased whereby the operatingelement- 84 of this valve is operated for disengaging the seat 85 andengaging the seat 88. The operation of this valve thereupon extends thesuction line connected by tube 28 with the passage 89 e:-:- tending tothe valves 100 and 101.

Now when a series of notes are being played on the piano as determinedby the perforations in the music roll, the abstracts 15, allotted toeither the bass or treble notes, will be operated in accordance with the0p era ion of the pneumatics 9 for opening and closing the valves 33 and34 respectively, i. e. the bass notes'etiect the opening of valve 34while the treble notes cause the corresponding action of valve 33. Valveupon being opened, admits air, at atmospherie pressure to the tube 38which extends from this valve to the lower chamber of valve 17. The airin the chamber 74 due to the admittance of air at atmospheric pressureis increased so that the operating element 13 is caused to disengage theseat 76 and engage the seat 79-. The operation of this valve in thismanner admits air to the lower chamber of valve 18 through theconnection 90 whereupon the operating element all is. lifted due to theincreased pres sure on the under side of the pouch Normally both sidesof the pouch individual to valve l8 are connected to the air suctionline 28 and in consequence the pressure on both sides thereof is thesame. However, upon the operation of valve 57, this equalization ofpressure no longer exists. Operating element ll: will accordingly belifted for admitting to connection 419 air at atmospheric pressure. Theair s pplied to the check valve 155 from the suction supply from whichthe connection 28 extends is cut 03' owing to the engagement of theoperating element let of valve 18 with the seat 78. The disengagement otthe operating element of this valve from seat 7'? causes the admissionof air to the check valve 155 at at-mos pherie pressure whereupon thisch cl; valv is operated.

Likewise, when valve is operated by the pins secured in the abstracts ofthe treble notes, airis admitted to the tube connection 39: atatmospheric pressure whereupon valve is. operated for causing theoperating element of this valve to disconnect the air line tron-i thelower chamber 01 valve 16. The disconnecci-on of the suction from thelower chamber of valve l5 increases the pressure on underside of thepouch of this valve eupon its operating element li"ted tor disconnectingthe air line from the check valve 108 of T-alve 101. l'lccordingly,valve 101 is operated in a. manner similar to that d ribed in connectionwith "alve 100.

From the previous description, it is clear -ent that the presentinvention pro f tern of control whereby valves 100 and 1101 areconditioned "for operation, which are subsequently rendered efi ectivedue to the operation of the Valves 3% and 33 throu 'h tl einstrumentality of the abstracts allotted to the bass and treble noteswhich in turn control the primary and secondary valves 5 to 48inclusive.

Taking up the description from the point where it was dropped withreference to the admission or air from the tube connection 28 with thepassage 89, the valves 100 and 101 are operated whereby air atatmospheric nr-essure is admitted to the tube connection 115, upon theoperation of check valve 155 while air at, a corresponding pressure isadn-iitted to. tube connect u 116 upon the o aieration of valve 100:This lat er chech valve is controlled by valves and 46. which in turnare controlled by valve 83.. The admission of air to the connection 115at atmos pheric pressure causes an increase in the air pressure on theunder side of the pouch 140 of valve 125. The admission of air tochamher 130 of this valve causes the operating ele ment 13? thereof tobe lifted whereupon the suction from the tube connection 28 is cut oilfrom the valve 126 and in place thereof air at atmospheric pressure isapplied. Inasmuch as the air on the upper side of the pouch 142 of thevalve 126 is connected with tube connection 28 and the other sidethereof is connected to the air and since, the pres sure on theunderside of the pouch 1&2 is greater the operating element 138 is operated to disengage seat 1 15 and engage seat 144. The operation of thisvalve in this manner connects the tube 1 13 with the suction tubeconnection 28 extending from the air supply to the bellows 147 whereuponthis bellows is operated for causing the corresponding actuation of thetriangle 32.

From the previous description, it is apparent that the mechanismdescribed permits of the operation of the triangle 32 in perfect timewith the rhythm of the music roll as the valves l7 and to 48 inclusiveserve to control the operation of the valve mechanisms 125 and 126 whichcontrol directly the operation of the musical instrument 32. From thearrangement shown in Fig. 3, it is apparent that when valves 101 and 108are operated, air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to tube connection116 which extends to valves 12% and 127 and accordingly bellows 14-6will also be operated. The bellows 1&6 is arranged with anoperatingmember :tor playing the tambourine. Such an ar rangement makesit possible-to operate both the triangle and tambourine in perfect timewith the rhythm of the music on the music roll, It is to be notedherethat the triai'igle 32 is controlled through the instruments. gity oi?the valves ll", 4.8, 100, 125 and 126 by the valves 34 which is operatedby the abstracts 15 of the bass notes. Also that the rine 31 is operatecthrough the instru tality of valves 45, 46, 1,01,. 128 and 15:? by valve33 which is allotted to the treble notes.

Should it be desired tooperate some ot' the other combinations ofmusical instru-. ments, such as, for example, the bird combined with aset of drums (not shown) it would only be necessary to operate buttonwhich, as in the previous case, operates a valve admitting air atatmospheric pres sure to a tube connection, to the common connectingblock 50.. From the common con necting block the air traverses a secondtube connection ext-ending to valve The operation of this valve,accordingly controls the rel ase oi the pin of pneumatic G6 and operatespin/T0017 pneumatic (-37 to the position shown in the drawing. The pin'70 in this case, will be held in the position shown by the locking bar71 until a subsequent selection. The operation of the pneumatic 6'7causes the operation of valve 81 which in turn conditions valves 102 and108 for operation. When the abstracts allotted to valves 33 and 34 areoperated, valves 15 and 17 are accordingly actuated for controlling theoperation of secondary valves 15 and 48. These valves, like in the casejust described, control the check valves 109 and 156. The operation ofthe check valves 109 and 156 causes the operation of valves 132 and 130.Likewise, valves 130 and 132 control the operation of valves 129 and131.

Valve 129 causes the admission of air from the suction line 28 to thetube connection 159 which extends from this valve to a pneumatic foroperating a set of drums or other type of auxiliary musical instrument.The valve 131 on the other hand, controls the admission of air atatmospheri pressure to the tube connection 160, extending; from thisvalve to a bellows 1&8. The bellows 1 18 is connected to a secondbellows 149 through a rigid operating connection 150. When the bellows148 is operated, due to the operation of valve 131, the correspondingoperation of bellows 149 results which causes the introduction of air tothe tube connection 151. This tube connection 151 extends to amechanically operated bird 50, which responds to the actuation of thebellows 149 for producing harmonious music.

It is apparent from the description that the musical instrument may beoperated in any combination desired, the operation of such instrumentsby means of the unique method of control being operated in perfect timewith the rhythm of the music out in the music roll as it passes over thetracker bar 13.

The same operation will result when the music roll 10 is perforated witha series of auxiliary perforations 160, 161 and 162 the number of suchperforations depending upon the number of auxiliary musical instrumentsdesired to be operated. As shown in Fig. 8, five such perforations areout to the left of the perforations which control the actuation of theabstracts 15, for producing music as perforated in the music roll. It isto be noted here that the auxiliary perforations are not continuous butextend over a large area it is not necessary in order to operate any oneof the auxiliary musical instruments continuously to have theperforations cut continuously. This manner of operation ispossible dueto the arrangement of the pins 70 on the bellows to 69 inclusive and theoperating bar 71. lVhe-n one of these auxiliary perforations passes overa hole in the tracker bar 13, which is connected with the commonconnecting block 50 case of an auxiliary perforation appearing in themusic roll 10, air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to the tubeconnection extending from the tracker bar 13 to the common block 50 andaccordingly the particular valves 51 to 55 will be operated.

It is again to"be noted that it is not necessary to continuouslyperforate the music roll in order to have this combination ofinstruments played in perfect time with the rhythm} of the music as cutin the roll, as the bar 71 operated in a manner similar to that When oneof the buttons a is operated for maintaining the condition until anotherperforation passes over a corresponding hole in the tracker bar 13. Sucha perforation, in passing over another of the holes in the tracker bar,causes the operation of the corresponding valve with its pneumatic forreleasing the previous selection and connecting in the other combinationof instruments which will be operated in accordance with the operationof valves 33 and 34 which are operated by the abstracts of the bass andtreble notes respectively.

In many cases, it is desired to discontinue the playing of the auxiliarymusical instruments. In the present invention this is accomplished byproviding a valve 51 which controls a pneumatic 65. The valve 51 is inturn controlled by the button and perforation on the extreme left asshown in Fig. 3. WVhen either the button is operated or a perforation inthe music roll is brought into alignment with a hole in the tracker bar13, air at atmospheric pressure is applied to the valve 51 through thetube'connection, extending from this valve to the common connectingblock 50. The operation of valve 51 is identical with that previouslydescribed in connection with valve 52. Further description of theoperation of the valve mechanism is therefore considered unnecessaryhere. Like in the operation of pneumatic 66, pneumatic 65 is operatedwhen the valve 51 is operated. The operation of pneumatic 65 causes themovement of the pin 70 to the left whereupon the locking bar 71 is movedin a manner to affect the release of all other pins, restoring thesystem to normal.

Under certain conditions, it is only desired to operate a triangle and abird. With these conditions, a large portion of the mechanism previouslydescribed can be dispensed with. As shown in Fig. 7, the bellows foroperating the triangle and the bird are connected by means of tubeconnections with the secondary valves corresponding to 126 and Thesesecondary valves, in turn, are controlled by primary valves 125 and 128.The previously enumerated vaives are similar in construction to thosedescribed in detail in connection with the description pertaining toFig. 2. Primary valves 125 and 128 are connected directly to valves 33and 34: by means oi tube connections. Valves 33 and Eli are controlledby the bass and treble notes *ctively as in the pre ious case.

description or? the operation oi this inochanrun is consideredunnecessary as a complete description of such operation was given inconnect-ion with the other mechanism in Figure 8, there is illustrated aportin of music roll 10 showing the positiooi the perforations whichcontrol the o erati n of the abstracts of the piano acin this figure,there is also shown broken lines indicating the range or the notes whichhave been selected for operating hi .i ss and treble valves whichresults in a or operation oi the system. The porn A represents the bassnotes while "3 indicates the number of treble notes erected and the gein which he treble is etl'ective. l or the purpose of illust vtion,perforations 160, 161 and 162 are shown to the left of the music rollwhich aligned with holes in the tracker bar 0 shown at Theseperforations 160,

\J 162 serve to operate the valve mechand others oi this series forconihis brings out the point niecessary to have a continuouspeiforations in order to have the e trumentcontinue to be operated. s tobe noted also that the same eiiect be produced, as in the case ot theperfoit any ot the buttons 1 positioned front of the piano are operated.indicates the section of the tracker introduction of various types of Tothe led ot the the series of perforations 163 are nto alignment with thecorrespondtraclrer bar 13, the valve 33 is for causin the operation ofthe valves in manner previously de ror producing, in the case of a snaree in this case, the valve 33 is 'aineo open during the series ofperforations 163. Considering now the perforadesignated by the numerals164, a ditferent condition exists as the perto ations in this case areseparated a distance suflicient to permit the valve 33 to open and closefor each perforation. A staccato effect on the drum is thereby produced.By reterring to the heavy lines on the left of Figure 8, a betterunderstanding of the manner in which the valve operates may be obtained.in the case of the perforations 165, the valve 33 will be operated foreach of such perforations as the position of the series 165, whichoperate this valve, is such that when two abstracts within the range Bare operated, the valve will be opened and ciosed for each abstract,thus causing the valve mechanism controlling the action of the snaredrum or other musical instrument which happens to be in operativeconnection to be operated for each note. With the arrangement of thenotes in this manner the valve mechanism is operated for producing boththe staccato and snare roll.

Referring now to the bass notes, which are in the range A, in the caseof bass Lilfli'i'l, a single beat is produced thereon to the pointmarked J where two beats are introduced to the point K. Likewise, in thecase of the perforations 122, two boats are produced which extends tothe portion L oi the music roll.

in the case of the valve 34, which is operated by the bass notes, thisvalve is opened and maintained open so long as the perforat onscontinue, as distinguished from the act-ion of the treble valve whichopens and closes except when the perforations are close together asthose in the series 163.

Although the above description pertains L0 the use of a snare and a bassdrum, it is or course to be understood that other instrumerits may beintroduced by the perfora- 161 or P 1o2 or even the operation or" the lto to produce the same action and quality of music in accordance with tiioughts or" the party who wrote the 'rine' now to Figure 9, there isshown ingeinent of apparatus whereby the and treble valves aresupplanted by 115 11115111 operated by the same abstracts operatingcontacts for controllingthe operation of the auxiliary musicalinstrur'ts in the previous figures, like parts ented by like referencecharacters to make the examination of the aratus easier. In this figure,the valves which are controlled through the action of the 1 e and bassvalves 33 and 35- re- 'ely and the valves under the control ot thebellows 66 to 69 respectively are supplanted by switch contactscontrolling electro-n'iagnets which control through their tures theintroduction of air atatmospheric pressure to the primary valves 125,128, 130, 132, 13 1 and 136. However, in

this case, in place of having valves controlled by the bellows 66 to 69,electric circuits are controlled thereby for conditioning for operationthe electromagnets which are subsequently energized through the actionof the treble and bass mechanism controlled notes.

Inasmuch as the operation of the valves 51 to which control theoperation of the bellows to 69 has already been described in detail inconnection with the other figures, further description of this partofthe system as shown in Figure 9 is considered unnecessary here. If anyone of the valves 52 to 55 inclusive is operated through either thealignment of a perforation in the music roll with a hole 3 in the trcker bar 13, or the operation of one of the buttons at, thecorresponding bellows is operated. As in the previous case, the bellowsso operated is arranged to be held in operative condition through theinstrumentality of the locking bar 71 until a subsequent selection. Thebellows control contacts which have connections extending therefrom tocontacts controlled by the mechanism operated by the treble and bassnotes and the windings of the respective electromagnets. In the case ofthe bellows 66, contacts 176 and 177 are operated for conditioning anenergizin circuit for magnets 170 and 175.

Also the mechanism 183 and 18-1 controlled by treble and bass notes inplace of controlling the introduction ozt air control the actuation ofcontacts 166 and 167. When the contacts 176 and 177 are operated and thecontacts 166 and 167 also operated, an energizing circuit is establishedfor each of the magnets 170 and 1'75. The circuit for the magnet 170 maybe traced from the positive terminal of the battery 168, contact 167,contact 177, and the winding of the electro magnet 170 to the otherterminal of the bat tery 168. Likewise, the magnet- 175 is energizedover a circuit which can be traced s iilarly. The magnets 170 and 175,upon being energized, causes the admission of air to the tubeconnections 115 and 116 at atmospheric pressure to the primaryvalves 125and 128. These valves in turn control the secondary valves 126 and 127which control the operation of bellows 1 16 and 1 17. In the case of theoperation of bellows 146, the tambourine 31 is operated, while for thebellows 141-7, the operating element 152 is moved to a position wherethe triangle is operated.

In the case of the other bellows 67, 68 and 69, corresponding contactssuch as 178, 179, 180 and 181 are operated for likewise controlling. theenergization of electromagnets 171, 172, 1'73 and 171. These magnets arealso controlled through the act-ion or" the treble and bass notes whichare in the ranges A and B as shown in Figure 8.

It is also to be noted that the operating elen'ient of 183 is positionedsuch that when two abstracts 15 are operated in the range 3sequentially, the contacts 166 will be actuated for the operation ofeach abstract thus producing the desired eiiect on the as sociatedmusical instrtunent. The accomplishment of this particular featureresults from the location of the pins in the abstracts 15 with respectto the operating bail of the associated valve. As previously described,these pins are located so that upon the operation of each abstractallotted to the range B the associated valve will be caused to open andclose. lVhen an abstract is operated, its pin engages the operating hailof the valve and causes the valve to be opened. Upon the operation ofanother abstractimmediately following the previously operated ab stract,the pin carried by the latter operating abstract will not have engagedthe operating bail of the brush before its closure, in which case thevalve will be opened and closed for the operation of each abstract. Forfurther details of this particular part of the mechanism, referenceshould be had to the description previously given with respect to thisparticular operation. In all other respects the operation of the systemis identical with that described in connection with the pneumaticallyoperated type of system.

Athough the invention has been described in connection with a particulararrangement of piano mechanism, it is, of course, obvious that othervariations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination, a piano action, manual keys and pneumatics foroperating said piano action, a plurality of auxiliary musicalinstruments, mechanism controlled independently of said manual keys andpneumatics for conditioning said auxiliary inusical instruments foroperation, and means operated by the piano action in response to theoperation of either said keys or pneumatics for causing the actuation ofthe particular auxiliary musical instrument previously conditioned bythe operation of said mechanism.

2. In combination, a piano action controlled by the perforations in amusic shee a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, pneumaticallyoperated mechanism actuated independently of the music note perforationin said music sheet for conditioning said instruments for operation, andmeans operated subsequently in accordance with the music noteperforations in said sheet 1 for causing the operation of theconditioned musical instruments in accordance with the operation of thepiano action.

3. In combination, a piano action controlled by the perforations in amusic sheet,

a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism controlledindependently of the music note perforations in said music sheet forcontrolling the introduction of the musical instruments eitherseparately or in combination, and means operated in accordance with thenote perforations in said music sheet for actuating said piano actionand for causing the operation of the auxiliary musical instrumentsintroduced through the operation of said mechanism.

d. In combination, piano actions con trolled either manually orautomatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning saidinstruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a valvecommon to a plurality of said piano actions and controlled thereby forcausing the actuation of the conditioned auxiliary instruments.

5. In combination. piano actions controlled either manually orautomatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning saidinstruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pairof valves, each of said valves being common to a different group of saidpiano actions and operated by any one of the actions in the respectivegroups for causing the actuation of the conditioned musical instrument.

6. In combination, piano actions controlled either manually orautomatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning saidinstruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pairof valves, each of said valves being common to a different group of saidpiano actions, and means associated with said piano actions andresponsive to the operation thereof for opening and closing said valveswhereby the conditioned Inusical instruments are operated in accordancewith the operation of said piano actions.

7. In combination, piano actions con trolled either manually orautomatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning saidinstruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pairof valves. each of said valves being common to a diiferent group of saidpiano actions and disposed with respect to said valves to cause them tobe operated differently upon the successive actuation of a plurality ofpiano actions in said groups whereby the conditioned musical instrumentsare operated in accordance with the operation of said piano actions.

8. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in amusic sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments,

mechanism for selecting the musical instruments either singly or incombination for operation previously to the operation of said pianoact-ions. and means operated simul taneously with the actuation of thepiano action in accordance with the perforations in the music sheet forcausing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument asdetermined by said mechanism.

9. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in amusic sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism forselecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination foroperation previously to the operation of said piano actions, meansoperated by any one of a predetermined group of the piano actions inaccordance with the perforations in the music sheet for causing theoperation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument as determined. bysaid mechanism.

10. In combination. piano actions controlled by the perforations in amusic sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism forselecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination foroperation previously to the operation of said piano actions, meansoperated by any one of a predetermined group of the piano actions inaccordance with the perforations in the music sheet for causing theoperation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument as determined bysaid mechanism, and means for maintaining the selected auxiliary musicalinstrument operatively associated with said second recited means until asubsequent selection. 7

11. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in amusic sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism forselecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination foroperation previously to the operation of said piano actions, a pair ofvalves individual to different predetermined groups of piano actions andoperated by any one of the piano actions in the respective groups forcausing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument.

12, In combination, piano actions controlled either manually by lreys orautomatically by note perforations in a music roll, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, an auxiliary series of perforations inthe music roll. means controlled by said auxiliary perforationsindependently of the note perforations for rendering said auxiliarymusical instruments effective, and mechanism operated in accordance withthe note perforations in the music roll for controlling the actuation ofthe instruments thus effected.

13. In combination, piano actions controlled either manually by keys orautomatically by note perforations in a music roll, a

plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, an auxiliary series ofperforations in the music roll, means controlled by said auxiliaryperforations independently of the note perforations for rendering saidauxiliary musical instruments effective. mecnanism operated inaccordance with the note perforations in the music roll for controllingthe actuation of the instruments hus eifected, means for lockingsaidfirst recited means in an operated condition, and mechanism alsoresponsive to an auxiliary perforation in the music sheet for renderingsaid locking means ineffective.

14:. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the noteperforations in a music roll for operating the piano actions, aplurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manually controlled meanscontrolling the introduction of such instruments, and means operated byany one of a group of predetermined piano actions for simultaneouslycausing the operation of the musical instrument selected through theoperation of said manu ally controlled means.

15. In an automatic player piano, the combination of a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, the method of operating such musicalinstruments consisting in conditioning said auxiliary'musicalinstruments for operation, and subsequently causing their operation uponthe actuation of any one of a group of predetermined piano actionswhereby the conditioned auxiliaryr'musical .instruments are operated inperfect time with rhythm of the'music being played by the piano notes. IV

16. In an automatic player piano, the combination of a plurality ofauxiliary-musical instruments, the method of operating such musicalinstruments consisting in condition ing said auxiliary musicalinstruments for operation, and subsequently causing their operation uponthe actuation of any one of a group of predetermined piano actionsincluded in the bass and treble notes.

17. In combination, piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musicalinstruments, devices for selecting said instruments torsubsequentoperation in differentcombinations or separately, means operated by anyone of a group of predetermined piano actions for controlling theoperation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument, and mechanismcontrolled jointly by said devices and said means for operating saidmusical instrument in accordance Wltll'thG operation 01": the pianoactions. it

18. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the perforationsin a music roll for operating the piano actions, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, manually operated means for controllingthe introduction of such instruments independently of said piano actionoperating means, and means operated in accordance with the operation ofthe piano actions for causing the operation of musical instruments.

19. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by. the perforationsin a music" crated upon the actuation of any one of a plurality of saidpiano actions, and pneumatics controlled by said valve for causing theoperation of said selected auxiliary musical instrument.

20. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the perforationsin a music roll for operating the piano actions, a plurality ofauxiliary musical instruments, manually operated means for controllingthe introduction of such instruments independently 01' said piano actionoperating means, means comprising a valveopened and closed upon thesuccessive operation of piano actions in a predetermined group thereof,and means responsive to said valve for operating the selected musicalinstruments. 7 i V i V v 21, In combination, piano actions, meanscontrolled by the perforations in a music roll for operatingthe pianoactions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manuallyoperated, means for controlling the introduction of such instrumentsindependently of said piano action operating means, means comprising apair of valves, each of said valves being. common todifferent groups ofsaid piano actions, mech anism for opening and closing one of saidvalves upon the successive operation oi the piano actions individualthereto, mechanism for maintaining said other valve open upon successiveoperation of the piano actions, individual thereto,.and means controlledby said valves for causing the operation of the selected auxiliarymusical instrument.

22in combination, a plurality of piano actions, means for operating saidactions, a pair of valves operated upon the actuation of any one of aplurality of the piano actions, a plurality of musical instruments,mechanism controlling the introduction of the auxiliary vmusicalinstruments, and means operated directly by said mechanism and operatingjointly with said valve for operating the selected auxiliary musicalinstruments in accordance with the operation of the piano actions.

23. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, pneumatic devices, anda valve controlled by any one not a predetermined number of the pianoactions for causing the operationof said pneumatic devices.

24. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, pneumatic devices, anda valve controlled by any one of a predetermined number of the basspiano actions for causing the operation of said pneumatic devices.

25. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, a pair of valvescontrolled by any one of a predetermined number of the bass pianoactions, the other by any one of a predetermined number of the trebleactions, a plurality of musical instruments, and means responsive to theoperation of said valves for causing the operation of the auxiliarymusical instruments.

26. In combination, a plurality of abstracts controlled either manuallyor automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality ofmusical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation,a plurality of devices common to predetermined ones of said abstracts,and means mounted on said abstracts and spaced at different distancesfrom said devices for causing their operation differently to effect theactuation of the selected instruments.

27. In combination, a plurality of abstracts controlled either manuallyor automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality ofmusical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation,a valve individual to predetermined ones of the abstracts and pinssecured to the abstracts and arranged to cause the opening and closureof said valves upon the operation of each abstract to effeet theactuation of the selected instruments.

28. In combination, a plurality of abstracts cont-rolled either manuallyor automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality ofmusical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation,a valve individual to predetermined ones of the abstracts and pinssecured to the abstracts and arranged to hold the valve open upon thesequential operation of the abstracts for effecting the actuation of theselected instruments.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day of Sept,A. D., 1922.

CHARLES SPRINGHORN.

